October 10, 2019 

LAWT News Service 

 

Nearly 2,000 jazz aficionados from across Southern California enjoyed a day of “Great Music For a Greater Mission” at the 2019 Jazz at Drew concert on Saturday, October 5, 2019.

The all-day outdoor festival took place on the campus of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) in South Los Angeles and featured exciting performances from the Grammy-nominated artist Will Downing, Next, Louie Cruz Beltran and the Lao Tizer Band featuring Eric Marienthal and Karen Briggs, as well as highly-acclaimed local artist Toni Scruggs.

 

 

Funk legends The Ohio Players closed the show with an ultimate mix of their most popular hits, such as “Fire,” “Love Rollercoaster,” and “Sweet Sticky Things.” 

 

Since its launch in 1991, Jazz at Drew has sought to alleviate the need for residents in South Los Angeles and surrounding areas to travel far for quality entertainment at affordable prices. 

 

 

Equipped with superior artist line-ups and a unique concert experience, Jazz at Drew has demonstrated that local residents will support big-name entertainment when given the opportunity and venue to do so.

 

“CDU has deep roots within the community that it serves, and the ‘Greater Mission’ that Jazz at Drew attendees are supporting is derived from the experiences of this community,” said CDU President Dr. David M. Carlisle. “Funds raised by this concert will help the University with its ‘Greater Mission’ of creating healthier communities in under-resourced areas.”

 

Jazz at Drew was also well-attended by VIPs and elected officials known for dedicating their time in office to fighting for social justice in underserved neighborhoods in Los Angeles and around the country, such as L.A. County Supervisor Dr. Mark Ridley-Thomas (2nd District), Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), and City Council President Herb Wesson (10th District), Assemblymember Mike Gipson (CA-64), Councilwoman Michelle Chambers, and noted attorney and media personality Areva Martin, Esq.

 

Proceeds from Jazz at Drew go towards enriching the CDU experience for students by funding University scholarships and pipeline programs, including the renowned Saturday Science Academy-II, which encourages South Los Angeles students to excel in math, science and technology.

 

The day’s festivities were emceed by popular radio host Pat Prescott of 94.7 The Wave.

 

Sponsors included:

 

Diamond Sponsor: Common­Spirit

 

Platinum Sponsors: Cedars-Sinai, Office of Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas

 

 

 

Gold Sponsors: Comerica, ECMC Foundation, UCLA Health Geffen School of Medicine, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, AltaMed

 

Silver Sponsor: Wells Fargo, Gilead Sciences

 

 

 

 

Community Sponsor: Akerman, LLP, Aetna, Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jazz at Drew Scholar Sponsor: AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Cader Adams, LLP, Frederick Fisher and Partners

 

 

 

 

In-Kind Sponsor:  BizFed, Truxton’s – Westchester, Not Your Mama’s Kitchen, Apple Spice, Grocery Outlet, Panera Bread – South Gate.

 

 

Category: Community